Vacuum cleaner using smart grid

ABSTRACT

An appliance capable of using smart grid includes a main body, an auxiliary power supply device mounted at the main body and includes a charging unit to store power therein, and a cleaner power management unit equipped at the main body to select one of the power supplied from the auxiliary power supply device and a power supplied from an external power supply source in order to use the selected power as an operating power of the vacuum cleaner.

This application claims the benefit of priority of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2010/000231 filed on Jan. 14, 2010, which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an appliance and in particular, to a vacuum cleaner using a smart grid.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a vacuum cleaner is configured to perform a cleaning task by receiving operating power from a power plant operated by public enterprises or private enterprises, through a transmission line, and a distribution line.

However, the above power supply structure has the nature of a central power source and not a distributed power source, has a radial-type shape that spreads from the center to the periphery, and is one-directional supplier-oriented and not consumer-oriented.

In relation to the above one-directional supplier-oriented power supply structure, there may be a price difference in electricity supplied according to a demand, but a consumer may not effectively utilize the price difference due to limitations in the power supply structure.

In order to resolve the limitations and improve the efficiency of energy use, studies on a smart grid are actively in progress in recent years.

The smart grid grafts information technology (IT) on a typical power grid to exchange real-time information in two-way communication between a power supplier and a consumer. That is, the smart grid refers to a next generation power system with a management system for optimizing energy efficiency.

Moreover, in order to implement the above smart grid at home, the need for two-way communication relating to power supply source and power information, being free from the case that an individual electronic device unilaterally receives power from a network having a plurality of electronic devices connected, and also, the need on new devices for the two-way communication are being considered.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a vacuum cleaner that operates using lower-priced electricity through a smart grid.

Embodiments also provide a vacuum cleaner including an auxiliary power supply device, which charges the vacuum cleaner with low-priced electricity through a smart grid and is mounted at the vacuum cleaner to provide the charged electricity as an operating power thereof.

In one embodiment, a vacuum cleaner capable of using smart grid comprises a main body; a suction motor; a dust container; an auxiliary power supply device detachably mounted at the main body and including a charging unit to store power therein; and a cleaner power management unit equipped at the main body to select one of the power supplied from the auxiliary power supply device and a power supplied from an external power supply source in order to use the selected power as an operating power of the vacuum cleaner

According to the present disclosure, provided is an auxiliary power supply device that provides charging power as power to operate a vacuum cleaner.

Moreover, the auxiliary power supply device confirms whether an electricity price is less than the maximum price set by a user and performs charging in a power management network including an advanced metering infrastructure and an energy management unit. Therefore, relatively low-priced electricity is charged and then is supplied as an operating power of the vacuum cleaner.

Furthermore, a display for notifying whether the auxiliary power supply device is available and the insufficiency of charging amount while charged electricity is used is equipped at the handle of the vacuum cleaner, so that a user may select a supply power of the vacuum cleaner according to a status of the auxiliary power supply device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating one example of a home power management network connected to a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a power supply structure of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a configuration of an auxiliary power supply device of a vacuum cleaner, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control configuration when an auxiliary power supply device is connected to a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating charging operations of an auxiliary power supply device of a vacuum cleaner, and supplying operations of the charged electricity according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a selective power supply structure for operating a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the idea of the present invention is not limited to suggested embodiments, and a person skilled in the art could easily suggest other embodiments within the range of the same idea.

When looking at a smart grid prior to the description of the drawings, the smart grid may include a plurality of power plants and a plurality of power equipment using solar, wind, and fuel cells for power production. The power generated from the plurality of power plants and power equipment is transmitted to a sub-control center.

The sub-control center receives the generated power and transmits the received power to a substation, and the substation converts the received power into a voltage proper for home and production facilities and distributes the converted voltage to a consumer.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a home power management network distributed as above, i.e., one component of a consumer, according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the home power management network providing an operating power to a vacuum cleaner 100 includes an Advanced Metering infrastructure (AMI) 20 for registering the supplied power and electricity charge in real time and using them, and an Energy Management System (EMS) 30 connected to the AMI 20 and responsible for real-time power management of the consumer and real-time prediction of power consumption.

Here, the AMI 20 provides a capability for allowing a consumer to efficiently use electricity and allowing a power supplier to efficiently operate a system by detecting system problems, as generic technology that integrates consumers on the basis of an open architecture in a smart grid.

That is, in the smart grid, the AMI 20 provides a standard by which all electronic appliances are connected to each other regardless of manufacturers, and a real time price signal of an electricity market supplied through the AMI 20 is transmitted to the EMS 30 at the consumer side.

Additionally, the EMS 30 distributes power to a plurality of electronic devices equipped in a home, and connects the electronic devices for communication in order to recognize power information of each electronic device. Based on this, the EMS 30 performs a power information process such as the power consumption amount or electricity charge limit setting, so that energy and cost reduction may be achieved.

That is, the power supply network 10 in a home is established including the AMI 20 for measuring a supplied power, an electricity charge, and a power consumption peak time section, and the EMS 30 connected to the AMI 20 and a plurality of electronic products 1 for two-way communication is responsible for transmitting and receiving a control signal to distribute power to each of the plurality of electronic products 1. Then, the electronic products 1 are connected to the established power supply network 10 to receive operating power.

Here, the EMS 30 includes a display 31 for displaying a current electricity consumption status and external environments (for example, a temperature, a moisture, and so on), an input unit 32 for user's manipulation, a communication unit (not shown) for communicating with the plurality of electronic products 1 via wireless or wire such as PLC, and a control unit (not shown) for processing a control signal.

The electronic product 1 is connected to the EMS 30 for communication, and an original code for each product is registered in the EMS 30. By using the registered original code, transmission information provided from an auxiliary power supply device 800 of FIG. 2 described below may be transmitted to the electronic product 1.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a power supply structure of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment.

Referring to the drawings, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a nozzle 600 for suctioning air with dust, a handle 300 for manipulating an operation of the vacuum cleaner by a user, an extension pipe 500 for connecting the nozzle 600 with the handle 300, and a connection hose 400 for connecting the nozzle 600 with a main body 110 and guiding the suctioned air and dust to the main body 110.

Also, the handle 300 includes a control button 320 for controlling a suction power, being gripped by the user, and a display 340 for displaying an operating status of the vacuum cleaner 100 and a control signal provided from the EMS 30 or an auxiliary power supply device 800 described below.

The main body 110 includes a suction part 112 for suctioning a foreign material with air, and the connection hose 400 is combined with the suction part 112.

Additionally, a detachable dust container 200 for separating the foreign material from the air inflowing through the suction part 112 and storing the foreign material may be mounted at the main body 110, and the dust received in the dust container 200 may be emptied out by removing a dust container cover 220 that covers the top of the dust container 200.

Moreover, the main body 110 includes a discharge filter assembly 700 for preventing fine dust from being included in the discharged air when the air separated from the dust is discharged to an external, and the discharge filter assembly 700 includes a discharge filter 710 and a discharge filter cover 720.

Additionally, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a cleaner plug 120 for delivering operating power to the main body 110 and providing two-way communication when connected with the power management network 10.

For this, the cleaner plug 120 includes a cleaner plug combining part 121 that is mounted by inserting into a socket 52 in an outlet 50 constituting the power supply network 10 (see FIG. 4), a communication unit 124 for delivering a control signal through the power supply network 10 connected through the cleaner plug combining part 121, and a cleaner plug controlling unit 126.

That is, when the cleaner plug 120 is connected to the socket 52, an operating power of the vacuum cleaner 100 may be provided through the EMS 30. The operating power may be determined from a plurality of power supply sources through the EMS 30.

Then, the supplied power is delivered to a cleaner power management unit 184 of FIG. 5 described below, and is used as power for operating the vacuum cleaner 100.

Moreover, the main body 110 includes a motor housing 130 for providing a receiving space of a suction motor assembly 140.

The motor housing 130 has an open top through which the suction motor assembly 140 is seated, and includes a discharge port 134 at one side through which air with dust removed is discharged to an external.

Furthermore, different from an operating power supply path of the vacuum cleaner 100 that extends from the cleaner plug 120 to the power network 10, another power supply path of the vacuum cleaner 100 is provided at another side of the motor housing 130.

In more detail, an auxiliary power supply device mounting part 131 is provided at another side of the motor housing 130 in order for a selective mounting of the auxiliary power supply device 800 described in detail below.

For this, the auxiliary power supply device mounting part 131 includes an auxiliary power connection terminal 132 connected to the cleaner power management unit 184 of FIG. 5, being exposed to an external.

Then, the auxiliary power supply device 800 charged by receiving a charging power from the power supply network is selectively mounted and connected to the exposed auxiliary power connection terminal 132.

For detailed description, FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration of an auxiliary power supply device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a control configuration when an auxiliary power supply device 800 is connected to a vacuum cleaner 100 according to an embodiment.

Referring to the drawings, the auxiliary power management device 800 is formed with a similar size and shape as the discharge filter assembly 700, and thus is inserted into and mounted at the auxiliary power supply device mounting part 131, contacting the auxiliary power connection terminal 132.

Moreover, in order to maintain a more solid mounting status, an auxiliary power cover 850 surrounds the entire auxiliary power supply device 800 and is coupled to the auxiliary power supply device mounting part 131.

For this, the auxiliary power supply device mounting part 131 includes a plurality of cover coupling grooves 136, and the auxiliary power cover 850 includes a plurality of cover fixing protrusions 852 corresponding thereto.

Additionally, the auxiliary power supply device 800 includes a charging power supply terminal 840 for mounting to the main body 110 and connecting to the cleaner power management unit 184 to provide charged power, a charging plug 820 connected to the power supply network 10, a charging unit 846 for storing electricity delivered through the charging plug 820, and a power supply device controlling unit 860 for processing a control signal.

In more detail, the charging power supply terminal 840 may supply power charged in the charging unit 846, contacting the auxiliary power connection terminal 132, when the auxiliary power supply device 800 is mounted at the auxiliary power supply device mounting part 131. The charging unit 846 may be formed with a plurality of cells.

Moreover, the charging plug 820 for supplying a power charged in the charging unit 846 includes a plug coupling part 822 inserted into and mounted at the socket 52 of the outlet 50 Moreover, the plug coupling part 822 is connected to a charging cord 823 to be easily coupled to the socket 52, and the charging cord 823 is wound to a charging plug receiving part 830 for storage.

For this, the charging plug receiving part 830 is formed, which has a portion that is recessed from the edge of the auxiliary power supply device 800 to the inside, and the edge of the charging plug receiving part 830 prevents the charging cord 823 that is wound being protruding toward the outside from being easily removed.

Additionally, a cord winding groove 832 is provided at the edge of the charging plug receiving part 830.

The cord winding groove 832 is formed with a cut portion at the edge of the charging plug receiving part 830. Therefore, the charging plug is 820 is stored when the charging cord 822 is received in the cord winding groove 832 and is wound along the charging plug receiving part 830.

Then, in relation to the electricity supplied through the plug coupling part 822, a switch 826 is provided to selectively cut off the electricity supplied to the charging unit 846 according to price information on a supplied power received through a plug communication unit 827 described below.

In more detail, the plug communication unit 827 receives the price information on a supplied power in connection with the EMS 30 after the plug coupling part 822 is inserted into the socket 52.

Additionally, according to the received price information, a switch driving unit 824 controls the switch 826 to be turned on in order for a power supply source to supply electricity for charging, of which price is less than the maximum supply price stored in a charging plug controlling unit 828. Then, the switch driving unit 824 controls the switch 826 to be turned off when the electricity price is equal to or more than the maximum supply price, so that a relatively cheap power is supplied from a power supply source to the charging unit 846 for charging.

Here, the maximum supply price set in the charging plug controlling unit 828 may be the lowest electricity price that a power company provides, which may be provided after midnight.

Moreover, once the switch 826 is turned on, the electricity supplied from the EMS 30 is delivered to the charging unit 846 through an electricity input part 841 for charging, and the electricity, after charging is completed, is stabilized through a voltage adjusting unit 844, and then is delivered to the cleaner power management unit 184 of the vacuum cleaner 100 through an electricity output part 842 and a charging power supply terminal 840 to be used as an operating power of the vacuum cleaner 100.

Hereinafter, operations of the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating charging operations of an auxiliary power supply device of a vacuum cleaner, and supplying operations of the charged electricity according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a selective power supply structure for an operation of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment.

In order to use the auxiliary power supply device 800, i.e., one of power supply sources of the vacuum cleaner 100, the auxiliary power supply device 800 is connected to the power management network 10 for charging (S10).

That is, as the charging plug 820 is connected to the socket 52, the EMS 30 is connected to the auxiliary power supply device 800 for two-way communication, and in that connection status, power supply information including a charging available power supply source and a supply available electricity price is provided to the auxiliary power supply device 800 through the EMS 30 (S12).

Additionally, the auxiliary power supply device 800 confirms a power supply source having an electricity price lower than that set in the power supply device control unit 860 (S14), and then, electricity for charging the charging unit 846 is supplied from the confirmed power supply source (S16).

Additionally, if the auxiliary power supply device 800 cannot confirm a power supply source having an electricity price lower than that set in the power supply device control unit 860, a charging stand-by status is maintained, so that electricity for charging the charging unit 846 is not supplied (S18, S24).

Moreover, when the charging of the charging unit 846 is completed after the electricity is supplied from the low-priced power supply source (S20), a charging completion status of the auxiliary power supply device 800 is delivered to the EMS 30 through the charging plug communication unit 827 (S22).

Then, when a user inserts the cleaner plug 120 into the socket 52 for mounting in order to operate the vacuum cleaner 100 in the above status, the display 340 at the handle 300 of the vacuum cleaner 100 displays an available status from the EMS 30 as the charging of the auxiliary power supply device 800 is completed.

Accordingly, after a user confirms the available status, the auxiliary power supply device 800 is mounted on the main body 110 (S26), and the mounted auxiliary power supply device 800 supplies the charged power to the cleaner power management unit 184 in order to use it as an operating power of the vacuum cleaner 100 (S28, S30).

Moreover, if the charging amount of the charging unit 846 is reduced to less than a standard capacity while the vacuum cleaner 100 is used with the provided charged power (S32), the power supply device controlling unit 860 sends a message to the display 340 through the power supply device communication unit 870, which notifies that the power of the vacuum cleaner 100 in use needs to be replaced due to the insufficiency of the charging amount (S34).

Furthermore, when the user confirms the message, the auxiliary power supply device 800 is separated from the main body 110, and is connected to the socket 52 again for charging.

Additionally, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is completely used (S36), the auxiliary power supply device 800 may be connected to the socket 52 for charging. In this case, without separating the auxiliary power supply device 800 from the cleaner main body 110, charging may be accomplished.

Referring to FIG. 7, the vacuum cleaner 100 is connected to the power management network 10 (S40). A determination is made whether the auxiliary power supply device 800 is available at the vacuum cleaner 100 (S42). If the auxiliary power supply device 800 is not available, then the operating power of the vacuum cleaner 100 is supplied through the power management network 10 (S44). If the auxiliary power supply device 800 is available at the vacuum cleaner 100, the vacuum cleaner may be disconnected from the power management network 10 (S46). The auxiliary power supply device 800 supplies the charged power to the cleaner power management unit 184 to use it as an operating power of the vacuum cleaner 100 (S48, S50).

If the charging amount of the charging unit 846 is reduced to less than a standard capacity while the vacuum cleaner 100 is used with the provided charged power (S52), the power supply device controlling unit 860 sends a message to the display 340 through the power supply device communication unit 870, which notifies that the power of the vacuum cleaner 100 in use needs to be replaced due to the insufficiency of the charging amount (S54). Otherwise, a determination is made whether the cleaning is completed (S56).

If there is insufficient operating power in the auxiliary power supply device 800, the vacuum cleaner is connected to the power management network (S58). The power management network supplies the operating power to the vacuum cleaner 100 (S44). Meanwhile, the auxiliary power supply device 800 may be charged by the power management network 10. A determination is made whether the auxiliary power supply device 800 is charged to operate the vacuum cleaner 100 (S60). If the auxiliary power supply device 800 is charged, the vacuum cleaner 100 may be disconnected from the power management network 10 (S62).

According to the embodiments, a power for operating a vacuum cleaner may be provided separately through a power supply path connecting a power management network and a cleaner plug and a power supply path connected to an auxiliary power supply device at one side of a main body to supply charging power.

Additionally, in relation to the power supply path including the auxiliary power supply device, an available status is notified to a user through a smart grid, so that the user may preferentially use an operating power of a vacuum cleaner, which charged at an inexpensive price.

Moreover, the auxiliary power supply device receives electricity for charging from a power supply source at a relatively inexpensive price in communication with an energy management system, and then, the charged power is preferentially used for a vacuum cleaner. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner operates at an inexpensive price.

Furthermore, when such an auxiliary power supply device is used, wasted power is reduced. Thus, related industries may be developed and also environmental pollution caused by generating electricity may be reduced.

While, this disclosure has been directed to a vacuum cleaner, one skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the invention is not limited to vacuum cleaners. Rather, the invention may be used in other appliances such as washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, airconditioners, fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, TVs, video players, audio players, and the like. Thus, the disclosure directed to vacuum cleaners should be understood as an example of how the invention may be used, and should not be construed as a limitation. 

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A vacuum cleaner capable of using smart grid, comprising: a main body; a suction motor; a dust container; an auxiliary power supply device detachably mounted at the main body and including a charging unit to store power therein; and a cleaner power management unit equipped at the main body to select one of the power supplied from the auxiliary power supply device and a power supplied from an external power supply source in order to use the selected power as an operating power of the vacuum cleaner.
 9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein the auxiliary power supply device comprises: a charging power supply terminal to connect to the main body to provide the operating power to the vacuum cleaner; a charging plug to connect to the external power supply source; a switch to connect or disconnect the auxiliary power supply device from the power supplied from the external power supply source; and a control unit to control the auxiliary power supply device, wherein the control unit causes the switch to connect or disconnect the auxiliary power supply device from the external power source based on information associated with the power supplied from the external power supply source.
 10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, further comprising a communication unit to receive the information associated with the power supplied from the external power supply source which is communicated to the control unit.
 11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the communication unit receives the information associated with the power supplied from the external power supply source in real-time.
 12. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the switch, the communication unit, and the control unit are disposed in the charging plug.
 13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the information associated with the power supplied from the external power supply source includes power supply price and the control unit causes the switch to connect to the external power supply source if the power supply price of the external power supply source is equal or less than a stored predetermined power supply price.
 14. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein when the power supplied from the auxiliary power supply device is insufficient as the operating power of the vacuum cleaner, the cleaner power management unit selects the power supplied from the external power supply source as the operating power of the vacuum cleaner.
 15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, further comprising a control unit, wherein when the auxiliary power supply device is available or has insufficiency of charging amount, the control unit sends information on whether the auxiliary power supply device is available or has insufficiency of charging amount.
 16. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, further comprising a display to notify the information on whether the auxiliary power supply device is available or has insufficiency of charging amount.
 17. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein the auxiliary power supply device and the main body comprises a power supply device communication unit and a cleaner communication unit, respectively, to receive the information associated with the power supplied from the external power supply source.
 18. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 17, wherein when the auxiliary power supply device is mounted to the main body, the cleaner communication unit receives the information associated with the power supplied from the external power supply source from the power supply device communication unit.
 19. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 17, wherein when the main body is directly connected to the external power supply source, the cleaner communication unit receives the information associated with the power supplied from the external power supply source from the external power supply source.
 20. An appliance capable of using smart grid, comprising: a main body; an auxiliary power supply device including a charging unit to store power therein; a communication unit to receive price information on power supplied from a power supply source; a controller to compare the price information received by the communication unit with a set power price information, and if the received price information is less than or equal to the set power price information, then causing the power supplied from the power supply source to be supplied to the charging unit; and a cleaner power management unit equipped at the main body, to select one of the power supplied from the auxiliary power supply device and the power supplied from a power supply source in order to use the selected power as an operating power of the appliance.
 21. The appliance according to claim 20, wherein the auxiliary power supply device is detachably mounted at the main body.
 22. The appliance according to claim 20, further comprising a display to notify information on whether the auxiliary power supply device is available or insufficiency of charging amount.
 23. The appliance according to claim 20, wherein if the cleaner power management unit determines that the auxiliary power supply device is available as the operating power of the appliance, the cleaner power management unit disconnects the appliance from the power supplied from the power supply source.
 24. The appliance according to claim 20, wherein if the cleaner power management unit determines that the auxiliary power supply device has insufficient power to operate as the operating power of the appliance, the cleaner power management unit connects the appliance to the power supplied from the power supply source.
 25. The appliance of claim 20, further comprising a switch to connect or disconnect the auxiliary power supply device from the power supplied from the power supply source.
 26. The appliance according to claim 25, wherein the auxiliary power supply device further comprises a charging plug to be connected to a socket.
 27. The appliance according to claim 26, wherein the switch, the communication unit, and the controller are disposed in the charging plug. 